Breast milk has several health benefits as it helps your baby get ideal nutrition, lowers your baby’s risk of having asthma or allergies, and reduces the chances of obesity. It is imperative for new moms to breastfeed their babies on priority.
New mothers who breastfeed the baby for the first time may feel anxious, stressed, and nervous, as it can be haphazard. These moms may fail to understand if their babies are getting enough milk. But it is imperative to maintain a good position to allow the newborn to latch on the right way and avoid nipple soreness, and other breastfeeding issues such as engorgement plugged ducts, and breast infections. Nipple injuries are commonly seen in breastfeeding moms.
Thus, it is essential to hold the baby in a proper way to avoid breast or latching problems. Remember to place the baby on one side that is toward the breasts. See to it that your little one’s whole body faces toward your chest, and the ear, shoulder, and hip need to be in a straight line. The head should not be turned to the other side, as it has to be straight in line with the body. Then, you can try the positions listed below to ensure your baby breastfeeds properly.
These breastfeeding positions are worth trying
1. Cradle hold: It is one of the most comfortable positions that can be opted by a mother for her baby. It is a go-to position for many new moms, as it is the easiest one. In the cradle hold, a baby has to sleep the side across your lap or take the support of the pillow to bring him/her to the level of your breast. The baby’s head will be cradled in the arm that is on the same side as the breast, through which the baby is being fed.
2. Crossover hold: Hold your little baby’s head with the hand opposite to the breast, you’ll be nursing from. Make sure to rest the wrist between the shoulder blades of your baby, your thumb behind one ear, and other fingers behind the baby’s other ear. By using your other hand, try to cup your breast as you would for during the cradle hold.
3. Side-lying position: This position can be helpful when you wish to breastfeed the baby in the middle of the night. Both you and your baby can lie on your sides that are tummy to tummy. Use your other hand on the side you’re not lying on to cup your breast if need be. Your baby will surely be able to get enough milk. Avoid excess bedding around the baby if you opt for this position as it can lead to suffocation.
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